How Should I Respond to an Offer Letter with a High Salary but Low Take-Home Pay?

Dear All,

Kindly suggest a suitable email response after receiving an offer letter in which they have mentioned a high salary, but the actual take-home salary is lower, which is not suitable for me. Please reply as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Please clarify whether you have accepted the offer or if you are yet to accept the job offer. You may reply to the offer by stating, "I am not in a position to join on the present offer."

How did you come to know about the low salary in hand, etc.? Did they provide you with the breakdown? When did they inform you - only along with the offer letter or during the interview? Did you not inquire about the breakdown during the interview? Or did you not seek any clarification at all during the interview? Quite surprising indeed!

Dear Suryakant, if they have made an offer according to what you had demanded, it is not ethical to then emphasize a low net salary. However, you can still talk with the HR person and discuss your further course of action, mentioning very softly and politely that the offer is way below your expectations. Please ensure that it is conveyed without being referred to as negotiating on a higher side.

If that is the final offer, what you can do is check with them on your career progression and pay rise cycle. If you feel satisfied, go ahead and explore your next venture.

All the best,

Urjit Kavi
Sr. Manager - HR